The Return of a Smile（ほほえみがえし）

What is doing something good like?

 

When that child's face lights up

And says, "Thank you,"

You return it with a bright smile, right?

That's what we call the return of a smile.

 

What is doing something bad like?

 

Once, when you did something unnecessary for yourself,

Something that child really didn’t want,

If you sincerely say, "I’m sorry,"

Their troubled face might light up.

You also feel relieved and return it, right?

That’s what we call the return of a smile.

 

Twice, when you intentionally teased,

It became something very sad for that child.

If you don’t sincerely apologize with, "I’m sorry,"

They may not forgive you right away.

If you truly feel you’ve been wrong, put your heart into it.

If your heart gets through, they will surely forgive you.

When you look at each other’s faces and can smile,

That means you've made up.

 

Three times, when you do something knowing it’s bad,

The child feels lost, unsure of what to think.

In the end, they might become angry.

It feels like being betrayed by someone who had faith in you.

Would you forgive them right away?

It’s really hard to feel that way, isn't it?

You wouldn’t want to stay friends.

 

For the child who knew it was bad yet did it anyway,

You wise one might ask them why.

That child has worries that trouble them a lot,

And without anyone to talk to,

If they were alone, deeply conflicted,

You’d start to seem very happy to them.

They might feel envious and annoyed,

And lash out at you perhaps.

Even knowing it was wrong,

They may have felt helpless.

 

What if you noticed that child’s loneliness or sadness?

If you can possibly forgive them,

That child would undoubtedly be saved.

Your smile saves that child.

That child’s smile also saves you.

Isn’t the return of a smile wonderful?